Title: Every Last Fear
Author: Alex Finlay
Publication: March 2, 2021
Publisher: Minotaur Books
Genre: Thriller
Pages: 368
SYNOPSIS: (From Goodreads)
After a late night of partying, NYU student Matt Pine returns to his dorm room to devastating news: nearly his entire family—his mom, his dad, his little brother and sister—have been found dead from an apparent gas leak while vacationing in Mexico. The local police claim it was an accident, but the FBI and State Department seem far less certain—and they won’t tell Matt why.
The tragedy makes headlines everywhere because this isn’t the first time the Pine family has been thrust into the media spotlight. Matt’s older brother, Danny—currently serving a life sentence for the murder of his teenage girlfriend Charlotte—was the subject of a viral true crime documentary suggesting that Danny was wrongfully convicted. Though the country has rallied behind Danny, Matt holds a secret about his brother that he’s never told anyone: the night Charlotte was killed Matt saw something that makes him believe his brother is guilty of the crime.
When Matt returns to his small hometown to bury his parents and siblings, he’s faced with a hostile community that was villainized by the documentary, a frenzied media, and memories he’d hoped to leave behind forever. Now, as the deaths in Mexico appear increasingly suspicious and connected to Danny’s case, Matt must unearth the truth behind the crime that sent his brother to prison—putting his own life in peril—and forcing him to confront his every last fear.
REVIEW:
**A copy of this book was provided by the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.**
I came across Every Last Fear by Alex Finlay on a list of the most anticipated books of 2021. I have to say, I can absolutely see why.
Every Last Fear follows Matt as he finds out his entire family has died in a freak “accident” in Mexico and he quickly finds the FBI do not think it was an accident at all. When I say I could not put this book down, I truthfully mean it. I have a very busy schedule and I finished this book in two days. Every chance I got, I would read it. From the very first page the story hooks you in and you have to keep reading until you know what has happened. There were a ton of twists and turns to keep you on your toes, and just as I thought I’d figured it out, I was blind sided.
One of the things I loved about this story is the side characters. I feel like I say that a lot, but I believe side characters can make or break a story. It doesn’t matter how wonderful the main character is or if you like them or not, if the side characters bring nothing to the story, then you will find the story lacking. My favorite supporting characters were Matt’s group of misfit friends from NYU. They didn’t have a huge roll, but I felt their support throughout the story and they always brought a funny moment in the middle of a really intense book. It really was a feel good group of individuals.
Alex Finlay’s writing style is smooth, but also vague to keep you guessing. I don’t mean vague in a bad way either. You know just enough to have you wanting more and keeping you turning the pages. The story does jump around to different characters and times in the past and current times. It was like a puzzle slowly filling in the pieces until the big reveal at the end. There was excellent character development.
Most anticipated books of 2021. One of the best reads of 2021 so far. I look forward to more from Alex Finlay and will be anxiously awaiting the next book. A must read for all thriller lovers!
STAR RATING: 5/5
Pick up your copy of Every Last Fear by Alex Finlay on Amazon, Barnes and Noble or check your local bookstore. Also make sure to add it to your To Reads list on Goodreads and leave feedback for the author when you are finished. You can check out more from author Alex Finlay on her website HERE.
